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Transcription Project

• Regarding the British ship "Pilgrim"

  Secretary of State Randolph submits to Washington's Cabinet an enclosed letter from Zebulon Hollingsworth, the attorney of the United States for the district of Maryland, regarding the case of the British vessel Pilgrim, determined to be captured on the coast.
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  Voorhis' Refund to the War Department

  Ensign Voorhis is directed to refund to Constant Freeman, agent for the War Department in Georgia, the sum of $26.47, the balance left after the recruits were paid for April and May.
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  Ensign Voorhis' Refund to the Government

  Howell has directed Ensign Garret L. Voorhis to refund to Freeman, Agent for the War Department, the balance remaining after he has disbursed the pay of hisdetachment.
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  Violations of Neutrality Act

  Secretary Knox writes Governor Richard Dobbs Spaight of North Carolina concerning rules for arming vessels of belligerent powers, in light of the Neutrality Act - and whether this is deemed an unlawful increase or augmentation of force. Knox considers the mounting of additional guns, or altering the caliber of the guns, or the making of new gun carriages, to be an unlawful augmentation of force. Additionally states that because the United States is neutral, the vessels of her citizens need not be armed
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  Augmentation of force in foreign vessels

  Issues direction pertaining to the arming of foreign vessels in U.S. ports, which Knox considers unlawful augmentation of force.
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  Illegal Actions for Belligerent Ship Outfitting in American Ports, to Extend to Neutral Nations & Most American Ships

  Establishes a uniform principle of what outfitting actions taken by belligerent European ships in American ports are illegal. Any alterations to guns or creation of new carriages or portholes are illegal. Describes how a British privateer was made to conform to these rules. To keep neutrals from outfitting privateers for belligerents, these bans are extended to all vessels. Declares that American ships are neutral, and should not be outfitted in similar fashions unless they can prove the necessity of such preparations. Encloses a further rule on privateers sailing out of U.S. ports and a Congressional act for punishing crimes [neither is included].
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  Extension of Ban on Foreign Ships' Mounting Arms in American Ports

  Discusses a uniform policy on belligerent nations' ships equipping themselves in American ports. Notes that the mounting of new guns and/or carriages is forbidden, though also noting the difference between procuring new ones in port and mounting armaments carried on board. Describes a case in which a British ship was made to conform to these regulations; extends the ban on mounting armaments to all foreign ships, even neutrals, to prevent abuses. Notes that the U.S. itself is a neutral nation, and in fairness most of its vessels should not be armed, unless receiving special permission (after demonstrating need) to do so.

• Letter Citation

  Cited in Hamilton to Holmes, 09/04/1794.
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  Unlawful Increase of Force on Ships in Ports of the United States

  Neutrality of United States dictated that no ships need additional weapons. The arming of vessels by United States ships, or the arming of vessels in U.S. water is unlawful. Rule sent to all other nations.

• British and Indians on the northern frontier

  The Governor of Pennsylvania encloses a copy of a letter from Brigadier General Wilkins in which he represents some circumstances relative to the disposition of the British and Indians on the northern frontier.
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  Receipt for federal stores returned by Israel Chapin, Jr.

  Isreal Chapin Jr, acting on behalf of his father, returns stores used in trade and diplomacy with the Six Nations
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  [No. 4 Pay roll of the militia guard at New London for May and June 1794]

  Lists pay of militia guards stationed at New London Arsenal.

• Letter Citation

  Cited in Hamilton to Holmes, 09/04/1794.

• Letter Citation

  Cited in Coxe to Hamilton, 12/22/1794. Treasury Department Circular.

• Quality of sail cloth

  Secretary Hamilton asks Brigadier General Otho Williams what experience has decided in regard to the quality of the sail cloth which has been used for the cutter under Williams' direction.

• Sail cloth for frigates

  Secretary Hamilton asks William Seton whether domestic or foreign sail cloth ought to be used for American frigates.

• Letter from the Commissioner of the Revenue

  The Commissioner of the Revenue writes that it is necessary that he receives some indication of the points to which Hamilton wishes the attention of Colonel Alexander White to be drawn when he shall set out from Winchester to examine the capacities of Mr. Zanes' estate to supply the remainder of the iron cannon.

• Contract with Samuel Hughes for iron cannon

  Letter from the Commissioner of the Revenue, informing Secretary Hamilton that the contract with Samuel Hughes for iron cannon will require an advance of $8,000, which he wishes to receive at the Baltimore branch of the Bank of the United States.

• Estimate of the monies for oak and cedar

  Letter from the Commissioner of the Revenue, enclosing an estimate of the monies which are wanted in Georgia and the Carolinas for the purchase of live oak and cedar, and compensations of the wood cutters. Advises that it might be well to deposit $11,000 with the collector of Savannah and a like sum with the supervisor of South Carolina.
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  Ten More Tents

  Since the engineer is tearing down the barracks at the fort and will build new ones, the troops are forced to encamp with only ten common tents. Sedam will need ten more tents to keep all the men under cover.
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  Pay of Frederick Sprigg

  Sprigg encloses to Simmons his account of pay due him for his service during April, May, and June 1794. His pay should be transmitted to Col. Fish of New York.
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  Explanation of Practices of Paymaster General

  Impossible to follow instructions from comptroller due to state of troops and militia, however Freeman made it inadvisable to pay out any money without taking duplicate receipts. Duplicate copy of receipt rolls and letter to Comptroller enclosed. Requested decision of Howell on issue of promotion and increase in pay. Request that all future remittance of money be in the smallest denominations. Voucher and pay roll from various troops and time periods enclosed.
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  Receipt of Money through John Chester, Supervisor of the Revenue of Connecticut

  Letter received regarding providing John Chester $500.00 which will be used for recruiting services in Connecticut. Agreeable to Howell's advice, provided duplicate receipts regarding that sum.

• Information given to the Secretary of War

  Summary of events leading up to to the fortification of the Rapids of the Miami River.
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  Right of Neutral Navigation

  Randolph notifes Hamilton, Knox, and Bradford that Denmark and Sweden have acknowledged the right of neutral navigation. He wonders if it would be advantageous for the President to send a commission to Europe to ascertain whether Mr. Jay should form a concert with those two nations in the pursuit of that principal with Britain and others.